(A/N: Wow, I haven't updated for a long time, eh? XD Sorry about that, but shit happens. Laziness does, as well. It's been pretty okay since I last updated, not much going on around over here. How have you all been?

Okay, okay, I'm sorry, sheesh! You don't, like, have to make me feel bad or anything; I've just been busy:P So, I bring you the next chapter to my story. And I promise, I won't wait so long for the next update.

YAY FOR UPDATING!!)

"I have…visitors…?" Miroku asked, confused. He sat up a bit, the sheet slipping down, revealing his pregnant belly. "Who is it…?"

"Inuyasha and the rest of your little friends. They came barging into my castle, demanding to know where you were. I would have killed them for daring to trespass upon my land, but I figured you'd be rather upset. That wouldn't be very wise, especially since you've already been in a depressed state," he replied, his eyes narrowing slightly at the human. "For their sake, I suggest you send them away until further notice…"

The monk raised a brow, a bit curious as to why Sesshoumaru wished them to leave rather quickly. He had claimed that he wished Miroku to be happy, so wouldn't a visit with his friends make him a bit perkier? Even if only a little?

"May I ask why I have to send them away…?" Miroku pushed the blankets off of him completely, and swung his legs over the side of the bed to stand. Sesshoumaru moved forward and gently put a hand on his chest, pushing down slightly.

"You should rest, Miroku. I'll send them away myself," he answered, ignoring the monk's question.

"I'd like to know, Sesshoumaru. Why do you want them to leave so suddenly? I know you despise your brother with a deep passion, but can't I at least explain to them why I must stay with you…? I know Inuyasha knows already, but I'd like to tell Kagome, Sango, and Shippou myself…"

"I'd rather you stay up here. I'll explain everything to you when I return…" Sesshoumaru's words seemed final as he turned to walk out the door. Miroku would have tried to demand more of an answer, but he was starting to trust the demon. He assumed it was for the best, anyway, considering it would have been hard to tell them goodbye for a while. He missed them greatly, and it had only been a few months since he last saw them. For him, after being stuck in a giant castle with a demon enemy, it felt like eternity…

After a while (and after Miroku had long fallen asleep), Sesshoumaru returned to the monk's room. He opened the door as carefully as he possibly could, not wanting to wake the sleeping human. Upon seeing him lying on the bed, his face set into an expression of peace, and his fragile form moving according to his breathing, Sesshoumaru could feel that protective instinct creep up into his mind. For some strange reason, he felt the need to want to be near the monk all of the time, never wanting to leave his side for an instant. He knew it was all because of instinct, and it drove him insane.

With the sway of his robes, and an elegant stride, he was standing beside Miroku, looking down at the sleeping figure underneath the silk, red sheets. Hesitantly, he lifted his hand to gently touch some of the monk's soft, black hair, loving the feeling between his lithe fingers. Ever so slowly, Sesshoumaru lifted the red sheets and climbed in next to Miroku, carefully wrapping his arms around the smaller body protectively. Miroku's eyes fluttered open, feeling the movement next to him and the strong arms around him. He looked up into Sesshoumaru's eyes, violet meeting gold.

"I couldn't allow them to see you because of my new found instincts," Sesshoumaru murmured quietly. "I have discovered that I do not like anyone that is unfamiliar to me to be near you. I feel the need to protect you, even against your own friends. I am sorry for this, Miroku, but I couldn't allow it. So, I sent them away; no questions asked,"

"Instincts? Demons have instincts…? Like animals do…?" he asked, shifting a bit within Sesshoumaru's grasp to look at him better.

"I wouldn't say like animals. But yes, we do indeed,"

Miroku frowned, looking down. "All because of instincts you drove them away…?" he asked, hoping for the answer he so longed to hear.

Sesshoumaru studied the monk's face for a moment before answering. He knew exactly what the human wanted to hear, but he wasn't sure he could lie to the monk like that. So, he gave the best answer he could possibly manage. "Perhaps…" he whispered.

Miroku leaned up and met his lips to the demon's. It was a gentle kiss, and he didn't make it anything more than that. After he pulled away, a small smile graced his features. "I suppose that's the best answer I'll ever get…"

"It's the only answer you'll ever get…"

(A/N: There you have it, folks! The next chapter to my story that many people have been long waiting for. XD I sure hope you enjoyed it, because it took me an hour to write. I know, such a short time for this, but I'm LAZY!!! Too much school work already. Yay. :P Sorry it's so effing short, though.

I'm making myself deadlines from now on so I can finish this for you guys:D And for myself. :P

NEXT UPDATE: March 24th

This might change, however. Maybe even earlier. ;) Or not. You never know.)